Abstract:

This thesis is made up of four essays that deal with three theologico- anthropological dimensions, namely corporeality, paternity and filiation, and relationality. These three dimensions make up the first three essays. The first, entitled “A Matter of Grace: Imago Dei from the Perspective of Corporeality”, seeks to revisit the theological principle of imago Dei based on the understanding of corporeality. The second essay, “The Spirit of Sonship – A Renewed Pneumatology for a Return of the Father”, attempts to find a connection between the contemporary difficulty with paternal figures and a persistently deficient pneumatology in the life of the Church and in theology. The third essay, “Never Without the Other – Balthasar’s Theo-Dramatics for a Rediscovery of the Thou”, finds in Hans Urs von Balthasar a dialogue partner for a theological-anthropological exposition on human relationality in the context of the persistently urgent question “Where is the thou?”. The final essay, “A Theology of Abiding as the Expression of Love in the Johannine Letters”, attempts to be a theological anchor to the first three essays by showing how a “theology of abiding” transpires throughout the Johannine letters. In the biblical theology of the Johannine literature (especially the First Letter), “abiding” is the dynamic relationship with the incarnate Son of God. Only by abiding in Him can the theologian claim to be doing theological anthropology. The three anthropological dimensions of corporeality, paternity and filiation, and relationality are fully revealed in the One who “became flesh” (Jn 1:14), each becoming capable of expressing that Love with which God first loved us (cf. 1 Jn 4:19).

Final Defense:

Board of Examiners: Fr. Antonio de Castro, S.J., S.T.L., E.H.D., Fr. Timoteo Jose Ofrasio, S.J., S.L.D., and Mr. Edwin Odulio, Ph.D. cand.

Proposal Defense: